On the agenda: Richmond City Council to tackle packed agenda in first meeting of 2025

The Richmond City Council will convene on January 7 to address a packed agenda, including a temporary moratorium on parklets, an exemption for police software under the sanctuary city ordinance, and funding for equitable neighborhood services.

RPD seeks exception to sanctuary city ordinance

Richmond Police Chief Bisa French is asking for an exception to the city’s sanctuary city ordinance after data analytics company LexisNexis acquired three software applications currently used by the Richmond Police Department.

The department uses three software tools — Accurint TraX, Coplogic, and Crossroads for cell phone data analysis, online reporting, and traffic collision management.

The consolidation has conflicted with Richmond’s sanctuary city ordinance, which restricts city contracts with companies that provide data services to agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

LexisNexis informed RPD staff that they could not sign the Sanctuary City Policy Form because LexisNexis’s current customers include the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

The ordinance aims to prevent contracts with entities associated with ICE, but LexisNexis’s acquisition of these software platforms has left RPD with no alternative providers. RPD says the tools are irreplaceable for investigative work, citizen access to online reporting, and digitized traffic collision systems.

Zepeda’s push for safer streets

Councilmember Cesar Zepeda’s Urgent Street Calming item is back on the agenda after it was continued from the November 26, 2024, meeting.  

The item would direct staff to immediately evaluate traffic calming measures throughout the city, including along Canal Boulevard, to slow traffic down and place mitigation measures in at least six locations throughout the city to prevent drivers of vehicles from performing “donuts” at these intersections.

Temporary moratorium on parklets in the city

The Richmond City Council will consider enacting a temporary moratorium on parklets during its January 7 meeting. Councilmembers Doria Robinson and Cesar Zepeda are requesting the City Attorney’s Office draft the moratorium, citing a need to address inconsistencies in permitting processes, parklet placement issues, and the balance between economic benefits and parking availability. The moratorium, if approved, would give city staff until October 2025 to propose amendments to the municipal code governing parklets.

Up & Under Pub owner Nathan Trivers, Point Richmond neighbors, and city officials have been at odds over a parklet constructed in front of the pub. 

City says pub parklet has to go

The owners of the Up & Under Pub say they have been told by the City of Richmond staff that, after much debate, their popular parklet has to go. “Despite our efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and find a mutually beneficial solution, the city has chosen to shut us down

Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila

On the agenda: cooking up a BBQ compromise as Richmond rethinks investments and targets unpaid property fees

The Richmond City Council meeting on December 3 will address a proposed investment policy promoting the “socially responsible” use of city funds, an appeal by the Up & Under Pub & Grill regarding a denied encroachment permit for a BBQ smoker, and a resolution to levy special assessments on properties with unpaid

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

Bana’s calls for equal mail funding in every neighborhood

Councilmember Soheila Bana’s item for Equitable Allocation of Funding and Mailing Services for All Neighborhoods is also back after it was continued from the November 26 meeting.

The item would direct staff to develop a program that allocates funding and city-supported mailing services to all neighborhoods, regardless of whether they have a recognized Neighborhood Council or Homeowners Association to support community-building activities and neighborhood improvements.

On the consent calendar

The Richmond City Council will once again attempt to increase its pay by 80 percent. The council previously floated the idea in February 2024.

Council to try again to give themselves 80 percent pay raise

The Richmond City Council will once again attempt to increase its pay by 80 percent at its January 7 meeting. The council previously floated the idea in February 2024.

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

According to a staff report, Richmond’s elected officials have not received a cost-of-living increase since 2007. The proposed increase will make their compensation “equitable and commensurate with comparable cities,” the report says.

Other consent calendar items

The Richmond City Council has several items on the consent calendar. Highlights include a proposed $360,000 vegetation management contract with Forster & Kroeger for Point Molate and a resolution accepting the 2023 AB 481 military equipment use report, alongside amendments to Richmond Police Department Policy.

Additionally, the council will discuss a $200,000 contract with Bludot Technologies for a “Buy Local” software platform and a $156,000 agreement with Empower Soul Studios for marketing services to support the campaign.

Other agenda items include a second reading of the amendment to the Residential Rental Inspection Program to expand unit coverage and eliminate self-certification and a directive to partner with Hope Solutions for supportive services at the Richmond Tiny House Village.

The council will also vote to urge federal recognition for the Muwekma, Lisjan, and Ohlone tribes of the East Bay.

Another major initiative is a $340,000 partnership with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to launch a small business beautification pilot program, a component of the Richmond Rising initiative funded by a $35 million Transformative Climate Communities Grant awarded in 2022. The program will offer grants of up to $15,000 to 20 small businesses in the Richmond Rising neighborhoods, fostering economic resilience, community pride, and property improvements as part of the city’s Displacement Avoidance Plan.

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